Category: Fr John’s Weekly
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One Thousand…
Early in my parish life I was at a clergy fraternal, ministers of the local Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, URC Churches welcoming me to the area. Good men, and we worked well together over the years. The Baptist minister and I walked partway home together before he left me to visit one of the elderly in…
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Questions!
If you were asked anything about sex would you answer? Whatever you said would be remembered, and perhaps against you. If you were asked about abortion or euthanasia would you have a clear answer – death is involved. If your answer were to be broadcast would that influence the way you phrased your reply? Tim…
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Democracy UK
Our prayers have been answered. We have a truly democratic parliament. The Conservative party has formed a government and there is a strong opposition to hold government to account in its legislation and decisions. This is democracy at its best: for the whole of the parliament all our votes will have importance because all government…
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Manchester Horror – May 2017
So many voices, so many words. The best words have been spoken by those who have suffered and those who have helped alleviate their suffering. They are inspiring. The “grandstanding” speakers spoke strongly but spoke duty words for effect; the suffering and the nursing spoke from the heart and drew us into the truth of…
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Vocations In The Church
Years ago I was speaking with a lady who had just retired. I suggested she might like to visit some of the elderly and lonely in the parish. She laughed. She wanted to enjoy her retirement, she said, and she didn’t fancy visiting. A few years later she was ill and I was bringing her…
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Love, Poverty and Indifference
Over the years at the General hospital I am drawn into family lives. I am glad to be trusted with new understanding and I come to know the family a little just as I know the patient. The love, affection and courage can be deeply touching. Ward 17 stands out for me because of the…